LAHORE: The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has formally approached the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for forming a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe the role of the then Director Procurement Pakistan International Airline (PIA) Air Commodore Imran Akhtar in the sale of an aircraft, The News has learnt.
When contacted, PAF spokesman Air Commodore Syed Muhammad Ali said PAF didn’t contact the FIA regarding the PIA plane sale issue. Sources in the Interior Ministry, however, told this correspondent that the Director General, Air Intelligence of the PAF, has contacted the FIA DG and conveyed his desire to probe the matter through a JIT having the representation of PAF officers.
“It is apprised that the subject investigation is under progress at your esteemed organization in which one of the PAF officers is being alleged for violations. The inquiry is still under progress yet there are media reports that the officer has committed certain violations which is bringing bad name to PAF”, a letter written to the Chief Staff Officer (CSO) to FIA DG Ahmed Mukkarram by Squadron Leader Abid Iqbal, Senior Staff Officer to the Air Intelligence DG, Islamabad, reads.
Titled with, “Case No 84/2016: Investigation on sale of for Air Bus A 310”, the PAF further wrote in the letter that in accordance with PAF Act, 1953, officer is to be tried under PAF Act, therefore, it is proposed that the Ministry of Interior (MOI) may be approached for ordering of Joint Investigation Team (JIT). “Until such time the inquiry may be held in abeyance.”
